When the University of Missouri-Kansas City celebrated its homecoming during the first weekend in October, it was with more than the usual pride and ceremony. October 1, 2008 marked the official 75th birthday of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. At least, that’s the anniversary of the day the school first opened its doors to classes. And from that day forward, there have been few institutions that have been more influential in shaping the character of the community, and of Southtown in particular.
In fact, the University of Kansas City (its original name) was charted back in 1929, but the Great Depression slowed – but not stopped – the efforts of local leaders to find a suitable location and raise funds. Eventually William Volker donated the land, Charles Dickey donated the original building (now Scofield Hall), and the school began its educational mission. In its first few decades, the University expanded aggressively, largely through the continual merging with existing professional and technical schools in the area. The first acquisition was the Kansas City School of Law, which became a part of the University in 1938 (and a happy 70th birthday shout-out to the Law School, by the way). The Dental and Pharmacy schools followed soon after in 1941 and 1943, and the Conservatory of Music joined in 1959. UKC became UMKC in 1963 when it joined the state’s higher education system.
Beginning with these first programs, and continuing through virtually every school, department or program that’s been added to UMKC’s catalogue, the University has stressed the importance of academic outreach. Today, students and faculty work with the community on issues that include health, legal assistance, education, child care, elder care, entrepreneurship, urban planning, and the arts, among others. The University estimates that its students and faculty provide in excess of 106,000 volunteer hours in the community each year. UMKC also estimates its economic impact on the greater metropolitan area as $750 million each year.
Within the Southtown community, UMKC’s impact has also been evident in small and large ways. The University has been a member of Southtown for 22 years, and has maintained a constant presence on the Southtown board since the beginning. The University has sponsored the 49/63 Community Oral History Project through its Writing Center, providing Southtown and 49/63 residents a unique opportunity to have their history documented for future generations. The University is a strong partner with Southtown initiatives such as the Troost Corridor Action Plan, a plan that defines the “U District” character of Troost from Brush Creek to 55th Street in the city’s public policy. And on October 4, UMKC partnered with Tulips on Troost in planting 75,000 bulbs to celebrate its 75th birthday. To learn about UMKC’s history, and all the commemorative events, visit the anniversary website at http://www.umkc.edu/75years.